Abingdon Native Crowned “Miss Bel Air Independence Day 2014!”

Cynthia Ford receives her crown as Miss Bel Air Independence Day 2014.

The Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc., the non-profit all-volunteer group that produces the parade, fireworks and all other events in the Town of Bel Air each July 4th, proudly announces that Cynthia Ford, a native of Abingdon, has been selected as Miss Bel Air Independence Day 2014.

The new Miss Bel Air — the 4th person to hold that title — is a graduate of Edgewood High School, where she played flute in the Edgewood High School Marching Band and marched in the Bel Air 4th of July Parade for 4 years! The accomplished flautist is now a junior at Towson University, majoring in Music Education, and is the holder of the many awards and fellowships.

“The selection process was perhaps the hardest we’ve ever had,” says Miss Bel Air Selection Committee chair Michael Blum, who is also the Parade Chairman and Vice President of the Independence Day Committee. “We use an interview process to make the decision, and we were astounded by how prepared, how knowledgable, how interesting and how really super our applicants were. It was really tough to select one winner, but we think that Cynthia Ford will be a marvelous Miss Bel Air this year, and we look forward to introducing her to the greater Bel Air community very soon,” he adds.

The title holder will serve as hostess and participant in one of the region’s largest 4th of July celebrations, taking place from dawn to night on Friday, July 4, 2014, and will also help promote the event in the weeks leading up to the event.

Events on Independence Day include the flag-raising at 6:45 a.m. in front of Bel Air High School, the traditional Pancake Breakfast, the various competitions during the day, including the traditional events, Uncle Sam Says, and the Watermelon Eating Contest. Finally, Miss Bel Air 2014 will lead the parade down Main Street in Bel Air at 6 p.m.

Miss Bel Air, representing Bel Air and the Bel Air Independence Day Committee, will compete for the title of Miss Maryland in late June, a part of the Miss America Pageant process.